November 12, 2013

Carlisle reminded all that West never shot a three-pointer

DALLAS -- When the question was directed at Rick Carlisle that it was fitting Tuesday that Dirk Nowitzki passed Jerry West on the NBA's all-time scoring list with a three-point basket against the Washington Wizards, the Dallas Mavericks' coach couldn't help but point out the irony.

"Yeah, I suppose it was (fitting), although Jerry West never shot a three,'' said Carlisle after his team's 105-95 win over the Wizards. "If there had been a three-point line back then, this milestone would have come later.''

By virtue of the three-point line, Nowitzki has an additional 1,353 points that he wouldn't have if the NBA didn't have a three-point line.

The NBA adopted the three-point point shot in the 1979-'80 season -- five years after West retired in 1974 following a stealler 14-year career.

West finished his career with 25,192 points, and Nowitzki, now in his 16th season, has 25,197 points and has taken over 16th place on the NBA's career scoring list.

"Jerry is the man,'' Nowitzki said. "He is the logo, and that says it all.''

Up next in front of Nowitzki on the all-time scoring list is Reggie Miller, who has 25,279 points.

By the way, on Oct. 12, 1979, Chris Ford scored the NBA's first three-point basket.